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Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe

Got a lonely banana sitting on your counter, begging to be used? Don’t let it go to waste! This easy single-serving banana bread recipe is the perfect solution. 

Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe

In just a few simple steps and with minimal ingredients, you can whip up a delicious treat in less time than you might expect. 

This single-serve dessert is the perfect treat for when the banana bread craving hits, but you don’t feel like making a full loaf of banana bread.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for an easy one-bowl banana bread recipe that’s perfect for the whole family, check out this Moist Banana Bread Recipe using frozen bananas.

Ingredients you’ll need for this Single Serving Banana Bread

The ingredients for this recipe are pantry staples, found in any grocery store:

  • Banana. Overripe bananas are best because they’re sweeter and have a stronger flavor. Their natural sugars make the banana bread sweet and moist while giving it that classic “banana flavor”. The “brown spots” mean they’re ripe, which is when you should use them for baking.
  • Oil. Oil adds moisture to the banana bread, making sure it stays soft and tender. It also helps to distribute the flavors evenly through the batter.
  • Yolk. The Egg yolk helps with the richness and tenderness of the banana bread. It also gives structure and stability to the batter, helping it to rise properly during baking.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract. Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the banana bread, adding depth of flavor. It also helps to balance out the other ingredients.
  • White Sugar. White sugar sweetens the banana bread and also helps to create a tender texture and golden crust when baked.
  • Cinnamon. Cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile of the banana bread. 
  • Baking Powder. Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the banana bread rise and become light and fluffy during baking. It reacts with the other ingredients, producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that expand the batter.
  • Salt. Salt enhances the flavors in the banana bread, helping to balance the sweetness.
  • All-purpose Flour. All-purpose flour gives structure and volume to the banana bread. It has the necessary gluten proteins that trap air bubbles and give the bread its rise and texture when mixed with liquid and leavening agents.
  • Walnuts. Walnuts add texture and crunch to the banana bread, as well as a rich, nutty flavor. 
  • Chocolate Chips. Mini chocolate chips add bursts of sweetness and melty chocolate goodness throughout the banana bread.

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe

Add-ons and Substitutions for this single banana bread

You can customize this recipe in various ways to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs:

​Substitutions

  1. Whole Wheat Flour: Substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and nuttiness.
  2. Olive Oil: Swap out the oil called for in the recipe with olive oil for a healthier fat option. 
  3. Melted Butter: Instead of oil, use melted butter for a richer flavor and texture. It lends a delicious buttery taste to the banana bread.
  4. Butterscotch Chips: Add butterscotch chips to the batter instead of chocolate chips. They melt into gooey pockets of sweetness, enhancing the banana bread’s flavor.

Add-ons

  1. Peanut Butter Banana Bread: Incorporate a dollop of peanut butter into the batter for a delicious peanut butter banana bread. Swirl it through the batter before baking for a marbled effect.
  2. Strawberry Banana Bread: Fold in fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped into small pieces, for a burst of fruity sweetness. 
  3. Chocolate Banana Bread: Swiel a dollop of chocolate hazelnut spread for a classic chocolate banana bread. 

Feel free to experiment with these add-ons and substitutions to create your unique version of single-serving banana bread!

How to make this Single Serve Banana Bread Recipe

To make this easy banana bread recipe, start by greasing an 8-ounce mini loaf pan, small ramekin, or muffin tin with cooking spray. Then, preheat your oven to 350 F.

Next, take 1/2 a single overripe banana and mash it up with a fork in a small bowl. Add in the oil, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and sugar, to the mashed banana and mix.

Now, it’s time to combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Stir in the cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and flour until everything is just mixed.

Add in the chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour the batter into your prepared ramekin and pop it into the center of your preheated oven for around 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once it’s done, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack, or enjoy warm banana bread before it’s completely cooled.

Expert Tips for the Best Banana Bread Recipe

  1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Use a room temperature egg yolk, to help ensure that it mixes smoothly, resulting in a more uniform and evenly textured banana bread batter.
  2. Properly Ripened Bananas: Wait until your banana has fully ripened with brown spots on the peel before using it in your banana bread. This ensures maximum sweetness and flavor.
  3. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense and tough banana bread.
  4. Preheating the Oven: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the banana bread inside. This ensures even baking and helps the bread rise properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use mushy bananas for banana bread?

Mushy bananas are the go-to for banana bread because they’re sweeter and tastier than firmer ones. As bananas ripen, they get sweeter, and their texture becomes softer, making them easier to mash up and mix into the batter. This sweetness and moisture from the overripe bananas give the banana bread its delicious flavor and moist texture.

Can bananas be too old for banana bread?

Yes, bananas can get too old for banana bread if they turn completely black, moldy, or start to smell bad. While super ripe bananas with brown spots are perfect for banana bread because they’re sweeter and tastier, if they’re too mushy or smell funny, it’s best to toss them. These bananas might not taste good in your bread and could even make it go bad. Stick to bananas that are just right: brown spots but still firm enough to mash up easily.

Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe

How do you ripen bananas for banana bread fast?

To ripen bananas quickly for banana bread, you can try a couple of easy methods:

  1. Paper Bag Method: Pop your bananas in a paper bag and fold the top loosely. The bananas release a gas that helps them ripen faster when trapped in the bag. Keep an eye on them until they’re nice and ripe.
  2. Oven Hack: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Stick the bananas on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the skins go all black. Once they cool down, they’re ready to use for your banana bread.
  3. Microwave: take an unpeeled banana and poke several holes in the skin with a fork or knife. This allows steam to escape during microwaving. Place the banana on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on high for 30-second intervals. Check the banana after each interval until it becomes soft and the skin turns dark brown or black.

Take a look at the recipes below for more single-serve desserts, or click this link for more Easy dessert recipes.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment!

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Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe

Got a lonely banana sitting on your counter, begging to be used? Don't let it go to waste! This easy single-serving banana bread recipe is the perfect solution. 
In just a few simple steps and with minimal ingredients, you can whip up a delicious treat in less time than you might expect. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana bread mug cake, banana mug cake, Easy Single-Serving Banana Bread Recipe, single serving banana bread, sweet fix baker
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Maria Corcuera

Equipment

  • 1 8-ounce ramekin
  • 1 small mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 1/2 ripe banana
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large yolk
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 1 tablespoon walnuts chopped
  • 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Grease an 8-ounce mini loaf pan, small ramekin, or muffin tin with cooking spray. Then, preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • Take 1/2 a single overripe banana and mash it up with a fork in a small bowl. Add in the oil, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and sugar, to the mashed banana and mix.
    1/2 ripe banana, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 large yolk, 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Stir in the cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and flour until everything is just mixed.
    1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch salt, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Add in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
    1 tablespoon walnuts, 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Pour the batter into your prepared ramekin and pop it into the center of your preheated oven for around 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    Once it's done, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack, or enjoy warm banana bread before it's completely cooled.

Notes

Expert Tips for the Best Banana Bread Recipe

  1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Use a room temperature egg yolk, to help ensure that it mixes smoothly, resulting in a more uniform and evenly textured banana bread batter.
  2. Properly Ripened Bananas: Wait until your banana has fully ripened with brown spots on the peel before using it in your banana bread. This ensures maximum sweetness and flavor.
  3. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense and tough banana bread.
  4. Preheating the Oven: Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the banana bread inside. This ensures even baking and helps the bread rise properly.

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